The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-03
AMERICAN NAVY.
Its Rehabiliment Retarded.
Republican Employees In the Depart
ment a Detrlment.
Secretary whitney Thwarted by
His Subordinates.
His Examining Boards Endeavor to
Defeat Him.
The Secretary Made Ridiculous In
the Eyes OF the Public
Commissioners OF kdu-
cation.

BUREAU OF THE MEMPHIS APPEAL,
No. 5l5 FOURTEENTH STREET, WASHING.
TON, Oct. c.-The manner In which the
the policy Of retaining In
office those men who, from their
connection with Republican Off
cials, have absorbed Republican prin-
ciples and unscrupulousness is work.
ing to the detriment Of the Democratic
party is we'll evidenced In the case Of
the navy department. Secretary
Whitney has been doing his best
since he assumed charge Of that de-
partment to promote measures for the
rehabiliment Of the American navy.
To this end he has devoted his ener-
gies, has not stinted from spending his
own money, and has spent many
weary hours In devising methods
whereby 10 attain his purpose.
But all, or nearly all, Of his measures
have been thwarted by his eusordi-
mates. At different times he has APP
pointed special boards for the express
purpose OF taking under consideration
improvements In various branches Of
the service. The reasonable expecta-
tions Of the Secretary have been re.
peatedly disappointed In the results
OF the work performed by these
boards. Shortly after he took charge
OF the office he found himself con.
fronted with the prCconceived ideas
4 the old advisory board, and after an
attempt to induce II TO relinquish thess
and adapt iteelf to his desires ant
wisl es, the dispute had 10 be sett.eC
by practical adjustment oil the re
fraetofy board. Several Of his chief
OF bureaus and other naval officer
went 90 far as 10 testify agains
his plans for reorgsnlz ,tion beioru
congressional committees. The mex
stumbling block was found II
the action Of the board which
had charge OF the 5000 ton battle
ships. Ii sent In report declaring
that Il was impossible to decide upoI
a plan, and could accomplish nothing
Secretary Whitney gave the board 1
understand that be would not abide b.
any such report. and, relupiDg to &C
cept II, ordered II TO agree upo
some 2ian and bring In report. Thi
energetic action resulted In the adoJ
ton Of the BIrrow plans. The recer
discovery Of glazing deiests In thee
plans mskes IL QUESTIONABLE whe,he
the gentleman composing the boar
did not voluntarily aud knowingl
suggest their adoption with the objeC
OF making the Secretary ridiculous
the eyes OF the public and impressin
Congress with the idea OF the impral
ticability Of his meth DDS. II II was nc
for The reason the board certainl
showed their incspacity AZ naval of
core, for the defects In the design
were sufficient 10 cause their enIii
revision necessary.
Bot the most Iecent aud interesiio
disagreement Is hat between the 81
Rotary and Capt. Rampey, preeid mt {
the liisboat board. The SscTeiaiy al
pointed this board some time az
with instructions 10 adopt some bet,
lileh lat than the old whAleb0gt II II
ycars ago now h. nee. In these mo
eru dsysi Il would seem that this " "a.
be no difficult m liter, bui the boar
failed to attain the end for which
was sppoint, d, aud fepor red thai
Nas unable % fad any better aaapte
10 present uee than the old boAis. u
Whitney refused 10 Lccept this n
port and ordered the board
20 10 work agsin. Tn
n did and was about To- bring In
.. second Tspot when NJ. Whitney b
came advised Of ils intention
again report iis failure 10 hnd an
better boat. Sending Tor Capt. Ran
sey he asked II this was true. Oar
Ramsey replied that IL was. The Se
Rotary eyinced great indignation az
peremptorily ordered him 10 contint
the work until the board accomplish,
purpose for which II wa q
pointed. Capt. Ramsey lost his ter
per, aud an animated controversy
sAld 10 have taken place. Tue prob
bic outcome will be that the bosl
will stick 10 its report and Oh
Secretary Whitney will appoint
board Of civilians TO carry out b
wishes.
col MISSIONER or EDUCATION.
The report Of the commissioner
education for the fiscal year has 10
been completed. The report sho'
that the condition and progrs
hitherto characteristic Of Ansric
education have been, In general, mai
tanned during the year. Occasion
instances Of retrogreesion and resctil
have been more than balanced